Reed



March 1S, v1941. v Q P, BEAVER 2,235,276

REED

Filed Feb. 20, 1959 Patented Mar. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to reeds.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved reed construction which is particularly adapted for musical instruments such as accordions.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a reed member which is so constructed that the number of reeds employed in a musical instrument may be reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel mounting for a reed.

Other objects and the advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end view of an accordion embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of an accordion with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a reed box with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5, Fig, 3 on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a modified reed box with parts broken away;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line '1 -1, Fig. 6 on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 8 is `a section on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 is a section on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section of a further modification of a reed box; and

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line II, Fig. 10 on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have indicated generally at I0 an accordion in which is embodied the features of my invention. The accordion shown is of a standard type and includes the usual reed racks I2.

In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 I have indicated one of my improved reed devices generally at I3. As shown the reed device I3 includes a metal reed block I4 having a rectangular aperture I5 therethrough. At each end the block I4 includes an outwardly directed flange I6 and adjacent the lower end of the aperture includes a similar flange II having a notch I8 therethrough intermediate the length thereof.

The reed block I4 is adapted to support a metal reed which includes a tapered vibrating tongue 2I and an enlarged base portion 22. The base 22 of the reed is positioned below the block flange Il with the tongue extending through the taken on line 8-8, Fig. 6

taken on line 9 9, Fig. 6

notch I8. The reed base 22 is secured to the block I4 as by a rivet 23.

Positioned in the block I4 between the upper flange IE and the flange I'I I provide a plate 24. This plate has a thickness less than the height of the iianges I5 and I'l so that the plate is free to shift. The plate has an aperture 25 therein which also opens through the lower end of the plate. The aperture 25 is tapered to match the taper of the reed tongue 2I and is slightly wider and longer than the adjacent portion of the reed tongue. The plate is adapted to shift to either side of the reed with the reed in an intermediate position between the two eXtreme positions of the plate.

On the block I4 I provide a cover 28 which includes a face plate 21 having depending flanges 28 on all four sides. The face plate 21 has a rectangular aperture 29 therein of substantially the same size as that of the aperture I5 in the block I4.

The inner face of the block I4 above the flange I'l is preferably covered with a. sound deadening material 30 such as a suede leather or suede paper and the inner surface of the cover face plate 21 is preferably covered with a similar sound deadening material 3l. The reed device I3 is mounted on and hermetically sealed to the reed rack I2 in the usual manner.

When air is forced through the reed block aperture in the direction indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 5 the air pressure forces the plate 24 into tight engagement with the padded face of the cover face plate 2l. In this position the plate 24 is slightly spaced in one direction from the adjacent face of the reed tongue in which posi tion the reed tongue vibrates in the plate aperture 25.

When air is forced through the cover aperture in the direction indicated by the arrow B the air pressure forces the plate 24 into tight engagement with the padded face of the block I4. In this position the plate 24 is slightly spaced in a reverse direction (from that previously mentioned) from the adjacent face of the reed tongue as indicated by the broken lines' in Fig. 5. Thus it will be seen that from whichever side the air pressure is directed past the reed the plate 24 shifts to a position beyond the reed so that the reed always vibrates in the plate aperture 25. Thus a single reed performs the same function heretofore perform-ed by two reeds.

In Figs. 6 to 9 I have shown a modification of my invention which is indicated generally at 35. In the modication I employ a double reed device so that the reeds may be grouped in pairs. In the modification the device includes a block 36 having a pair of apertures 31 therein and having anges 38, 39 and 40 similar to the anges I6 and previously described.

The block 36 supports a pair of reeds 4| which are similar to the reed 20 previously described and which are held in place by rivets 42. The iiange 39 is notched as at 43 and through the notches the reeds 4| extend. A plate 44 similar to the plate 24 includes a pair of apertures 45 similar to the apertures 25.

A cover 46 similar to the cover 26 previously described is employed in the modification and the inner face of the block 36 above the flange 39 and the inner surface of the cover 46 are covered with sound deadening material 4l and 48 respectively.

The reed device shown in Figs. 6 to 9 is mounted in the same manner as the device shown in Figs. 3 to 5 and the operation of the plate and the reed is the same. f

In Figs. 1U and 11 I have indicated a reed device generally at 56. The reed device 56 is similar in all respects to the reed device I3 except that the cover 26 is omitted so I have indicated like portions thereof by similarly primed reference numerals. With the device 50 a sound deadening pad is placed on the face of the reed rack |2 and the reed block I4 placed thereon in such a manner that the plate 24 works between the pad 5| and the pad 30.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel reed device for wind instruments which is simple in construction and highly eicient in use.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. For use with an accordion having a reed rack therein, a reed device, said reed device including a reed block having an aperture therethrough intermediate its length, said reed block having a ange protruding from one face thereof at each end and adjacent the lower end of said aperture, said intermediate ange having a. notch therein, a cover on said block engaging said flanges and including side walls surrounding said reed block, said cover having an aperture therethrough of the same size as said block aperture, a exible reed, said reed including a tapered tongue portion and an enlarged base portion, said reed base being secured to said reed block below said intermediate ange and said reed tongue being positioned in said notch and a plate member positioned between said cover and said block, said plate being of less thickness than the space between' said cover and said block, said plate having an aperture therethrough from face to face and opening through the bottom, said aperture being larger than said reed tongue and tapered to match the reed tongue.

2. For use with an accordion having a reed rack therein, a reed device, said reed device including a reed block having an aperture therethrough disposed intermediate its length, said reed block having a. flange protruding from one face thereof at each end and adjacent the lower end of said aperture, said intermediate ilange having a notch therein, a cover on said block engaging said anges and including side walls surrounding said reel block, said cover having a rectangular aperture therethrough of the same size as said block aperture, a flexible metal reed, said reed including a tapered tongue portion and an enlarged base portion, said reed base being secured to said reed block below said intermediate ange and said reed tongue being positioned in said notch, a plate member positioned between said -cover and said block, said plate being of less thickness than the space between said cover and said block, said plate having an aperture therethrough from face to face and opening through the bottom, said aperture being slightly larger than said reed tongue and tapered to match said reed tongue, the inner face of said block and said cover being covered with a sound deadening material.

CONAWAY P. BEAVER. 

